semiautomatic handguns. >> reporter: the chief firearms instructor, he says despite the tragedy at sandy hook elementary, he remains adamantly opposed to an assault weapons ban. >> i disagree with that. >> reporter: saying law-abiding americans should be allowed to carry virtually any gun they please. >> why do we have to limit or restrict the sale of so-called assault rifle or semiautomatic rifles. >> reporter: today's debate on the streets of falls church was also heard in the washington studios of the major television networks. >> i'll look at all the proposals. >> reporter: where virginia senator mark western, a resent -- >> simply saying existing gun laws are enough, the status quo is acceptable just didn't pass my gut check as a father. >> reporter: while nra executive director continued to insist that the answer to school shootings is not gun control but armed police officers in every public school. >> it's the one thing that would keep people safe, and the nra is going to try to do that. >> reporter: but the nra's proposal continues to be met with fierce opposition, including cha